poise 1 of 2

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as in posture
a general way of holding the body the woman's poise suggested that she was accustomed to having her wishes carried out promptly and without question

Synonyms & Similar Words

poise

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word poise different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of poise are address, savoir faire, and tact. While all these words mean "skill and grace in dealing with others," poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

When would address be a good substitute for poise?

The words address and poise can be used in similar contexts, but address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

When can savoir faire be used instead of poise?

The words savoir faire and poise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

Where would tact be a reasonable alternative to poise?

The meanings of tact and poise largely overlap; however, tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of poise
Noun
The big-serving teenager showed poise that belied his youth and beat Djokovic 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4). Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025 With the youngest roster in the league and a No. 1 seed to show for it, the Thunder have emerged as the most exciting surprise in the NBA, showcasing poise, personality, and a fresh approach to winning. Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
In March, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, and Florida is poised to follow as the second state. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 1 May 2025 In 2022, Amazon said it was poised to pass UPS and FedEx to become the largest U.S. package delivery service. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poise
Noun
  • This delicate equilibrium underscores the significance of integrating self-determination and Stoicism into a cohesive leadership philosophy.
    Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The center of balance rides lower than ever before, with weight distribution in such equilibrium that Ward even corner-balanced the truck.
    Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Haden: What drew me to the word was that dichotomy of being on the verge of falling out of balance, but needing an incredible amount of skill to maintain your posture, like a ballerina.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 May 2025
  • That’s particularly true for those of us who spend a big chunk of the day sitting, which tightens up the hips and back and encourages not-so-ideal posture.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Chipotle, like other restaurants and fast-food chains that rely on supplies from Mexico, also forecast tepid annual comparable sales growth, bracing for a hit from inflation.
    Ananya Mariam Rajesh, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Now city leaders are bracing for a nearly $1-billion budget deficit.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • From a terminal far out of harm’s way, drone pilots could hover in the sky for hours, soaking up surveillance information, building a case for precisely whom to bomb and when to do it.
    Colin Jones, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Uncertainty still hovers over Bryce Huff, a splash signing in 2024.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The comments follow President Donald Trump hinting at a softer stance on China tariffs.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Speaking on Friday during a trip to India, Vice President Vance made the administration’s stance clear.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Reinvent continuously: Change is the one constant, and knowing that disruption remains at an all-time high, leaders must be able to navigate these changes and fortify their enterprise resilience on an ongoing basis—for both the short- and long-term.
    Muqsit Ashraf, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Georgia’s roster is now fortified for another national championship run, with things seeming to depend on two spots: starting quarterback Gunner Stockton and a young offensive line.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Why could this be a record sargassum year for Florida? LaPointe said drought in South America the past couple of years led to less water flowing from the Amazon River into the Atlantic, which meant fewer nutrients to feed the fields of floating sargassum.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • This is where large particles like floating cat hair are captured–just vacuum it off or throw it in the washing machine.
    Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The survey asked participants about their attitudes and behaviors toward cybersecurity at home and in the workplace.
    Kim Key, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
  • According to a recent survey conducted by TD Cowen and based on answers from 2,000 consumers across key cities in China, significant changes in attitudes are happening across the board as anti-Western sentiment rises.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Poise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poise. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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